SUBMISSION TO THE INQUIRY INTO AUSTRALIA'S RELATIONSHIP WITH THE COUNTRIES OF AFRICA

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1 SUBMISSION TO THE INQUIRY INTO AUSTRALIA'S RELATIONSHIP WITH THE COUNTRIES OF AFRICA The Refugee Council of Australia (RCOA) is the national umbrella body for organisations involved in supporting and representing refugees and asylum seekers, with a membership of more than 350 organisations and individuals. RCOA promotes the adoption of flexible, humane and constructive policies by government and communities in Australia and internationally towards refugees, asylum seekers and other displaced persons. We consult regularly with our members and refugee community leaders and this submission is informed by their views. RCOA welcomes the opportunity to contribute to the Inquiry into Australia's Relationship with the Countries of Africa conducted by the Federal Parliamentary Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade. In this submission, we aim to draw attention to the ways in which Australia s Refugee and Humanitarian Program may facilitate the development of effective partnerships and exchanges between Australia and the countries of Africa. Australia s role in providing durable solutions for refugees from African countries Australia s Refugee and Humanitarian Program has played an important role in providing durable solutions for refugees across the African continent, which remains one of the major source regions for refugees. The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) reports that the total population of concern in Africa (including refugees, asylum seekers, stateless persons and people in refugee-like situations) is over 3,000,000 (see Appendix 1). Additionally, people of African origin also comprise more than a quarter of the world s 5.7 million refugees living in protracted situations (see Appendix 2). In providing the opportunity for refugees from Africa to resettle in a new country, Australia makes a significant contribution to protecting victims of persecution and supporting refugees to rebuild their lives. Recommendation 1: RCOA recommends that the Australian Government continue to provide durable solutions to refugees from the countries of Africa by: a) maintaining a targeted resettlement program for refugees from Africa; b) giving special consideration to the needs of African refugees in seriously protracted situations; c) progressively increasing the Refugee and Humanitarian Program to provide further opportunities for resettlement. The role of diaspora communities in developing bilateral relations Australia s Refugee and Humanitarian Program has profoundly reshaped our relationship with the countries of Africa. In the past, Australia s closest ties with Africa were with Commonwealth nations in the east and south of the continent. In recent decades, however, increased immigration from Africa much of it through the Refugee and Humanitarian Program has

2 allowed Australia to establish direct connections with a far broader range of African nations. According to the 2006 census, Australia is home to more than 247,000 African-born people from over fifty different nations (see Appendix 3). The increase in migration from Africa creates opportunities for expanding Australia s bilateral relations with African nations, as disapora communities are uniquely placed to facilitate this process. Their ability to speak local languages, familiarity with local customs and culture and direct personal connections in their countries of origin offer a strategic advantage when brokering trade relationships and implementing aid and development projects. Indeed, diaspora communities in Australia, including refugee communities, have in the past played a key role in fostering links between Australia and their countries of origin. Former humanitarian entrants from Central and Eastern Europe and South-East Asia, for example, have been actively involved in developing Australia s relationships in these regions after conditions in their countries of origin stabilised. While many African disapora communities in Australia are still emerging, they are already taking a leading role in aid and development initiatives in Africa. One such project highlighted by a participant in RCOA s national consultations is a school established in Nairobi for 300 Sudanese refugee children, with the support of community members in Perth and Sydney. Similarly, in southern Sudan, members of the Sudanese diaspora community in Australia have returned to their country of origin to assist in development efforts as the region has gained greater autonomy. As African communities in Australia continue to grow and develop, it can be expected that they will play an increasingly significant role in the development of bilateral relations between Australia and the countries of Africa. Recommendation 2: RCOA recommends that the Australian Government, in developing bilateral relations in trade, aid and development with the countries of Africa, engage directly with African diaspora communities in Australia. The role of diaspora communities in economic development African diaspora communities across the world provide crucial support to family members and communities living in poverty through remitting funds to their countries of origin. According to the International Foundation for Agricultural Development, remittance flows to and within Africa are worth almost US$40 billion, far exceeding official development assistance to the region and in many countries exceeding foreign direct investment as well. On a country-by-country average, remittances represent five per cent of the Gross Domestic Product of African nations. 1 Families and communities in the countries of Africa often rely heavily upon financial support from relatives overseas. Remittances can play an important role in economic development through improving living conditions and supporting the establishment of small businesses, particularly in rural areas. However, the formal market for money transfers in Africa is among the most problematic in the world, due to issues such as uncertainty about the volume of remittances, high rates of informality, limited competition due to a regulatory environment that favours monopolies, high transfer costs and a lack of technological innovation. 1 See International Foundation for Agricultural Development (2009). Sending Money Home to Africa: Remittance markets, enabling environment and prospects. Retrieved 27 April 2010, International Foundation for Agricultural Development (2006). Sending Money Home: Worldwide Remittance Flows to Developing and Transition Countries. Retrieved 27 April 2010, 2

3 Furthermore, the need to support family members overseas places an additional financial and psychological burden on refugees in Australia and can seriously impact on settlement outcomes for African refugee communities. Feedback from community consultations indicates that members of African refugee communities in Australia are highly motivated to establish themselves professionally and socially and participate in all aspects of Australian community life. However, newly-arrived refugees, who also face the challenge of settling in a new country and may be recovering from experiences of torture and trauma, may be forced to sacrifice or postpone their education, work in two jobs or forfeit holidays and other social and recreational activities in order to send remittances to relatives experiencing extreme poverty overseas. Diaspora communities report that newly-arrived African refugees, who are often on lower incomes, in most cases devote over 25% of their weekly income to remittances. In light of these difficulties, members of African diaspora communities in Australia have acknowledged the need to transcend remittances as an aid and development strategy and instead develop more sustainable solutions which focus on capacity-building. The Australian Government could provide invaluable support in developing these sustainable solutions through supplementing community fundraising efforts and assisting diaspora communities in developing the partnerships and institutional capacity necessary to implement sustainable development projects. Recommendation 3: RCOA recommends that the Australian Government: a) explore opportunities for providing financial and institutional support to assist in the development of sustainable aid and development projects in the countries of Africa. b) in developing sustainable economic development strategies with the countries of Africa, engage directly with African diaspora communities in Australia. The role of diaspora communities in raising awareness about human rights issues The first-hand experience of diaspora communities of conditions in their countries of origin, combined with their direct personal connections in these countries, places them in a unique position to raise awareness about human rights issues in African nations. These communities can play a particularly important role in drawing attention to the needs of vulnerable groups which may otherwise escape international attention. African diaspora communities in Australia are already highly active in this regard. RCOA is regularly contacted by individuals and community organisations wishing to highlight instances of human rights abuse and bring to light the needs of internally displaced persons and refugees whose situations require urgent attention. During 2009, the following issues were brought to RCOA s attention by diaspora communities from African nations: Afar community in camps across the Horn of Africa need for more resettlement places; community in Australia's lack of success in Special Humanitarian Program applications; 'invisibility' of smaller ethnic communities in regional intake. Banyamulenge refugees in camps in Burundi, Rwanda and Uganda need for resettlement for people facing victimisation after being made stateless by the Democratic Republic of Congo. Congolese community in camps in Africa fraud in offshore processing (non-congolese claiming that they are Congolese to secure resettlement places). Ethiopian community in camps across Africa need for more resettlement places (particularly for family reunion). 3

4 Eritrean refugees in camps in Sudan and Ethiopia and the situation of Eritrean detainees in Libya need for more resettlement places (particularly to deal with protracted refugee situations, lack of access to protection and deteriorating security in Eritrea). Liberian community in Guinea and Ghana UNHCR encouraging repatriation despite ongoing concerns about instability and insecurity in Liberia; offshore processing concerns (including inappropriate use of interpreters, selling of stories for application purposes and inappropriate pre-departure health check processes). Oromo community in Horn of Africa Offshore processing corruption (Government officials with money use other people s stories to receive protection, while others are too poor, do not read or write and have been unable to scribe their stories). Sierra Leonean community in West Africa amputation was used as a tool of torture during the ten year civil war in Sierra Leone; however amputee visa applications continue to be rejected; inappropriate pre-departure health check processes for people who have suffered torture/trauma. African diaspora communities in Australia also play an increasingly significant role in raising issues of concern to their communities in international fora. RCOA works with other Australian non-government organisations (NGOs) to facilitate the participation of individuals from refugee backgrounds in UNHCR s Annual NGO Consultations, Standing Committee meetings and Executive Committee meetings in Geneva. Over the past four years, RCOA has assisted Australians originally from Sudan, Eritrea, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Sierra Leone to raise issues about refugees from their countries of origin and other regions of Africa with government representatives and senior UNHCR officials. The participation of African diaspora communities in these fora has been an important mechanism for raising awareness about human rights issues in African nations on the international stage. Recommendation 4: RCOA recommends that the Australian Government: a) engage with African diaspora communities in Australia in developing strategies for addressing human rights issues in the countries of Africa. b) support members of African diaspora communities to raise issues of concern to their communities in both domestic and international fora. The role of African communities in facilitating cultural relations and exchanges between Australia and the countries of Africa Refugees and migrants from African backgrounds have played a key role in facilitating cultural, scientific and educational relations and exchanges between Australia and the countries of Africa. Migrants and refugees of African origin have brought to Australia an incredibly diverse array of traditions, rituals, cuisines, art forms and languages which have enhanced the richness and diversity of the Australian cultural landscape. The participation of people from African backgrounds in Australian community life has also enhanced the broader community s knowledge and understanding of African cultures. Additionally, through the resettlement religious, ethnic and cultural groups who face persecution in their countries of origin, Australia has played an important role in assisting these groups to practice and maintain their unique cultures. Recommendation 5: RCOA recommends that the Australian Government encourage and support African diaspora communities in Australia to practice and maintain their unique cultures. 4

5 Summary of recommendations 1. RCOA recommends that the Australian Government continue to provide durable solutions to refugees from the countries of Africa by: a) maintaining a targeted resettlement program for refugees from Africa; b) giving special consideration to the needs of African refugees in seriously protracted situations; c) progressively increasing the Refugee and Humanitarian Program to provide further opportunities for resettlement. 2. RCOA recommends that the Australian Government, in developing bilateral relations in trade, aid and development with the countries of Africa, engage directly with African diaspora communities in Australia. 3. RCOA recommends that the Australian Government: a) explore opportunities for providing financial and institutional support to assist in the development of sustainable aid and development projects in the countries of Africa. b) in developing sustainable economic development strategies with the countries of Africa, engage directly with African diaspora communities in Australia. 4. RCOA recommends that the Australian Government: a) engage with African diaspora communities in Australia in developing strategies for addressing human rights issues in the countries of Africa. b) support members of African diaspora communities to raise issues of concern to their communities in both domestic and international fora. 5. RCOA recommends that the Australian Government encourage and support African diaspora communities in Australia to practice and maintain their unique cultures. 5

6 Appendix 1: Populations of concern in the countries of Africa by country of origin Country Refugees 2 People in refugee-like situations Asylum seekers 3 Stateless and others in need of protection 4 Total population of concern 5 Angola 171, ,134 Benin Botswana Burkina Faso ,042 Burundi 281,592 6, ,237 Cameroon 13,870 2,933 16,803 Central African Rep.c 120,106 5,000 1, ,339 Chad 55,105 3,369 58,474 Cote d'ivoire 22,227 6,468 28,695 Dem. Rep. of Congo 367,995 36, ,273 Djibouti Egypt 6, ,828 8,608 Eritrea 181,971 4,427 14, ,002 Ethiopia 63, ,507 95,385 Ghana 13, ,016 15,258 Guinea 9,495 2,016 11,511 Guinea-Bissau 1, ,342 Lesotho Liberia 75,213 2,394 77,607 Libya 2, ,849 Madagascar Malawi 106 8,210 8,316 Mauritania 45, ,385 Mauritius Mozambique Namibia ,013 Niger ,067 Nigeria 14, ,474 24,643 Republic of Congo 19,925 5,039 24,964 Rwanda 72,530 6,108 78,638 Sierra Leone 32,536 2,623 35,159 Somalia 559,153 2,001 20, ,697 South Africa Sudan 397,013 22,235 18, ,328 Swaziland Tanzania 1,270 2,901 4,171 Togo 16, ,131 17,881 Uganda 7,548 3,140 10,688 Western Sahara 90,530 26, ,561 Zambia Zimbabwe 16,841 34,795 51,636 Stateless 100, ,064 Total 2,664,653 59, , ,538 3,053,849 Source: UNHCR year-end statistics, as at 22 May Includes people in refugee-like situations 2 Persons recognised as refugees under the 1951 UN Convention/1967 Protocol, the 1969 OAU Convention, in accordance with the UNHCR Statute, persons granted a complementary form of protection and those granted temporary protection. 3 Persons whose application for asylum or refugee status is pending at any stage in the asylum procedure. 4 Refers to persons who are not considered nationals by any State under the operation of its laws. 5 Includes refugees, people in refugee-like situations, asylum seekers, stateless persons and others in need of protection and assistance. Unlike UNHCR statistics, these figures exclude returned refugees or internally displaced persons. 6

7 Appendix 2: Location of protracted refugee situations in the countries of Africa Country of origin Country of asylum Number of refugees Angola Democratic Republic of Congo 111,600 Angola Zambia 27,100 Burundi Tanzania 240,500 Central African Rep. Chad 57,300 Democratic Republic of Congo Rwanda 52,400 Democratic Republic of Congo Tanzania 79,700 Democratic Republic of Congo Zambia 47,300 Eritrea Sudan 124,800 Somalia Kenya 259,100 Somalia Yemen 132,300 Sudan Chad 268,000 Sudan Ethiopia 25,900 Sudan Kenya 28,500 Sudan Uganda 56,900 TOTAL 1,511,400 Source: UNHCR year-end statistics, as at 22 May Includes people in refugee-like situations Appendix 3: Country of birth for persons from African backgrounds residing in Australia, 2006 Country of birth Persons Country of birth Persons Algeria 1,004 Madagascar 188 Angola 394 Malawi 684 Benin 22 Mali 60 Botswana 863 Mauritania 14 Burkina Faso 24 Mauritius 18,175 Burundi 751 Mayotte 0 Cameroon 135 Morocco 1,295 Cape Verde 18 Mozambique 641 Central African Republic 9 Namibia 702 Chad 32 Niger 12 Comoros 13 Nigeria 2,496 Congo, Democratic Republic of 618 Rwanda 202 Congo, Republic of 523 Sao Tome and Principe 9 Cote d'lvoire 250 Senegal 196 Djibouti 97 Seychelles 2,508 Egypt 33,497 Sierra Leone 1,809 Equatorial Guinea 9 Somalia 4,316 Eritrea 2,016 South Africa 104,128 Ethiopia 5,633 Sudan 19,049 Gabon 26 Swaziland 231 Gambia 132 Tanzania 2,295 Ghana 2,771 Togo 35 Guinea 330 Tunisia 441 Guinea-Bissau 10 Uganda 1,713 Kenya 9,940 Western Sahara 15 Lesotho 79 Zambia 4,082 Liberia 1,526 Zimbabwe 20,157 Libya 1,516 TOTAL 247,691 Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2006 Census of Population and Housing. Figures exclude overseas visitors. 7